In the Community Learning Centres (CLC) network, we often struggle to explain what we do. That’s because the CLC is like an idea blowing across the province showing up in myriad ways. Here we share the stories so that you can see it and believe it too – CLCs make a huge difference to student engagement and the vitality of English Linguistic Minority communities across Quebec.

Community Based Service Learning (CBSL)

Community Based Service Learning

The notion of learning from the local community while providing a service to the community is a perfect fit for Quebec Community Learning Centres (CLC).   

Community Based Service Learning (CBSL) is a teaching strategy that combines the pedagogies of Community Based Learning and Service Learning to increase student engagement by giving students the chance to apply what they learn in the classroom by addressing local community issues.

This approach not only contributes to student success, by helping teachers develop authentic learning situations which can cover all competencies laid out in the Quebec Education Program.  CBSL also helps strengthen community vitality. We want  to celebrate these projects, launched by inspired teachers that contribute to a culture where students have opportunities to make an impact on their communities.

This blog features CBSL projects developed in the 2012-13 school year which demonstrates the wide variety of ways that students can contribute to the vitality of the school or wider community.   

Learning By Doing

As the Community Based Learning coordinator, and as a teacher, I believe in iterative learning and using feedback to improve our practice .  It can be challenging to take on a CBSL project, but we encourage teachers to just do it, keep what worked and reflect on how we can improve next time.   The feedback we get from teachers is that it is well worth the effort.  I hope reading about the successes and challenges of  teachers participating in CBSL projects will encourage other teachers to work with their CLC coordinator to seek local resources and develop collaborative partnerships.   

Join the community of teachers developing CBSL projects in collaboration with their CLC coordinator and local community partners.  Our guiding questions include, what are the genuine needs in the community?  How can students provide service those needs?  How can we understand the extent to which CBSL contributes to student engagement and impacts  on the community?  

Check out my blog on CBSL and teachers in the CLC initiative-  bloomerreport.blogspot.ca. Please share stories about the great work you are doing.
Sincerely,

 Ben Loomer
CLC Community Based Learning Coordinator 













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